The JR21 Thunderbird 4 is certainly a great looking and highly collectable toy.
Battery operated and capable of working in water, this remarkably accurate representation of International Rescue’s submarine was a big, expensive toy. But it’s got to be said, any child receiving this little beauty on Christmas day wouldn’t have been disappointed.
No cheaper friction drive version was released, presumably because JR21 determined it wouldn’t be as popular as TB 1 or TB 2, so they went upmarket and created a more exclusive and desirable toy.
The only major variation I’m aware of is that some toys had black plastic bases rather than yellow, and the rear rudder was dropped.
While the other JR21 Thunderbird toys had dedicated advertising, Thunderbird 4 seemed to miss out. Unless any of you folk know different, I don’t recall seeing any adverts for the toy.
Solo comic carried a competition in issue 27 in which 40 JR21 Thunderbird 4’s could be won. All the reader had to do was find the odd one out among photo’s of the four other Thunderbird craft and a SWORD Booster Rocket !
That is certainly beautiful. I would love to put that on my Thunderbirds shelf.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of the G.I. Joe (12" action figure) underwater sled I had. Worked great too.
ReplyDeleteI had one of these as a child. The little propeller pushed it along in the water and the rudder on the front wheel steered. Unfortunately it was not water-tight and the motor and battery connections quickly corroded.
ReplyDeleteExactly what happened to mine too :(
DeleteSorry to hear that MartG.
DeleteI had one and this is the first time in 50 years I've seen one😊😊 how much now? Dave
DeleteProbably a lot more than you paid in the sixties Dave ;)
DeleteThey do turn up on eBay from time to time for all sorts of prices (we never value things on the blog) but I'd imagine a complete boxed example would set you back a bit.